Ziptober - Our locals day becomes locals month for 2018!

Queenstown and Frankton Volunteer Fire Brigades have been named the lucky recipients of our annual locals’ fundraiser, which for the first time in nine years will be a fundraising month.

Queenstowners can ‘zip’ high above the treetops throughout ‘Ziptober’ (October 1 to 31), enjoying $50 trips on the Kea 6-line, Moa 4-line and Keraru tours, with 50% of proceeds going to the fire service.

After coming runners up in last year’s community online poll, our director Trent Yeo said choosing the fire brigade as this year’s local community cause was a “no-brainer”.

“It was exciting to watch the support for the firefighters in last year’s online poll between winning cause Branches Charitable Trust and Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue,” he says.

“The volunteer fire brigade works tirelessly to keep our local community safe, so it was only right to show our support for the great work they do,” says Trent.

“Seeing the firefighters zipping through the forest in full uniform at speeds of 70kph was priceless.

“Now we’d love to see their supporters out in force during Ziptober for a record-breaking month in aid of a good cause.”

Queenstown and Frankton Volunteer Fire Brigades have on average 75 volunteers responding to over 400 call-outs per year.

Fire Brigade Chief Andrew Barry said his team are “absolutely wrapped” to be the lucky cause for this year’s local’s month.

“Zipping through the trees was a nice change of scenery from the station but was somewhat challenging in our full kit,” says Andrew.

“It’s a great feeling when our community gets behind the volunteer force and I can’t express how grateful we are.